U.S. patent application number 11/303174 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-22 for method and system for awarding points to a mobile device subscriber based on usage time while at a predetermined location.
Invention is credited to George Likourezos.
Application Number | 20060135120 11/303174 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36596639 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060135120 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Likourezos; George |
June 22, 2006 |
Method and system for awarding points to a mobile device subscriber
based on usage time while at a predetermined location
Abstract
A method and system are disclosed for enabling a cell phone
service provider or other type of service provider to retain
subscribers and attract new subscribers, as well as existing
subscribers from other service providers, by providing an incentive
to subscribers for selecting its service. The incentive includes
awarding the subscribers frequent flyer mileage points and/or other
types of points based on cell phone usage time and/or other mobile
device usage time while at a particular, predetermined location,
such as onboard a particular commercial carrier. A method and
system are also disclosed for providing an incentive to mobile
device subscribers for selecting a predetermined location from a
plurality of predetermined locations for mobile device usage
time.
Inventors: |
Likourezos; George; (St.
James, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
George Likourezos
261 Washington Avenue
St. James
NY
11780
US
|
Family ID: |
36596639 |
Appl. No.: |
11/303174 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60637396 |
Dec 17, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/406 ;
455/456.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/406 ;
455/456.1 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 7/20 20060101
H04Q007/20 |
Claims
1. A method in a wireless communication system providing
communication services to a plurality of subscribers, the method
comprising: determining whether a mobile device subscriber is at a
predetermined location; determining amount of mobile device usage
time by the mobile device subscriber of a mobile device while at
the predetermined location; and awarding points to the mobile
device subscriber based at least on the amount of mobile device
usage time of the mobile device while at the predetermined
location.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first determining
step comprises: appending a data string to signals transmitted by
the mobile device while at the predetermined location; and
analyzing the signals to determine whether they contain the data
string.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the points are
redeemable for at least one of a service and product.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the points are frequent
flyer mileage points, and further comprising adding the points to
the mobile device subscriber's frequent flyer mileage point
account.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined
location is onboard a carrier transporting the mobile device
subscriber from a first geographical location to a second
geographical location.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the awarding points
step further includes awarding points based on at least one of
travel-related information corresponding to the carrier,
subscriber-related information, and communication-related
information, wherein the travel-related information is selected
from the group consisting of: information relating to the first
geographical location; information relating to the second
geographical location; time of departure; time of arrival, whether
destination is an international destination; whether majority of
travel is during a particular time period; whether time of
departure was delayed for more than a predetermined amount of time;
whether non-stop to the destination; and whether a meal is served
during duration of trip; wherein the subscriber-related information
is selected from the group consisting of: travel status of the
subscriber; number of passengers traveling with the subscriber;
period of time subscriber is a customer of at least the service
provider and carrier's owner and/or operator; and occupation of the
subscriber; and wherein communication-related information is
selected from the group consisting of: time of day of the
communication service; length of time of the communication service;
and type of communication service.
7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising paying a fee
by a business establishment associated with the predetermined
location or the operator of the carrier to at least one of an
operator of the communication system and a service provider of the
communication services.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device usage
time is selected from the group consisting of cell phone usage
time, Internet access usage time, satellite radio usage time,
wireless email usage time, and messaging usage time.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the awarding step
includes determining a mathematical formula associated with the
predetermined location for computing the number of points to award
to the mobile device subscriber based on the amount of mobile
device usage time while at the predetermined location.
10. A wireless communication network comprising: a database
configured to store at least one point account; a controller
operatively coupled to the database, the controller comprising a
memory and a processor operatively coupled to the memory, the
controller being programmed to determine usage of air time for
communication services by a subscriber at predetermined locations;
the controller being programmed to award a number of points to the
subscriber based on the usage of air time at the predetermined
locations; and the controller being programmed to store the number
of points awarded to the subscriber in a point account associated
with the subscriber.
11. The communication network according to claim 10, wherein the
controller is programmed to award points for each usage of air time
period according to a mathematical formula, and wherein the
controller is programmed to award points according to at least two
different mathematical formulas each respectively corresponding to
at least two different predetermined locations.
12. The communication network according to claim 10, wherein the
controller is programmed to award points for each usage of air time
period according to a mathematical formula, and wherein the
controller is programmed to award points according to at least two
different mathematical formulas each respectively corresponding to
at least two different communication services.
13. The communication network according to claim 10, further
comprising a plurality of computing devices each positioned at each
of the predetermined positions for appending an identification data
string to communication signals transmitted to the controller, and
wherein the controller is programmed to identify the identification
data string and determine the predetermined location associated
with the identified identification data string.
14. The communication network according to claim 10, further
comprising a global positioning system in operative communication
with the controller for relaying the position of the subscriber,
the controller being programmed to determine whether the position
of the subscriber is at one of the predetermined locations.
15. The communication network according to claim 10, wherein the
predetermined locations include onboard a carrier transporting the
mobile device subscriber from a first geographical location to a
second geographical location.
16. The communication network according to claim 10, wherein the at
least one point account is configured for storing usage time
corresponding to at least two types of usage time.
17. The communication network according to claim 10, wherein the
points are frequent flyer mileage points, and further comprising
programming the controller to communicate the points to a database
storing the mobile device subscriber's frequent flyer mileage point
account.
18. A method in a wireless communication system providing
communication services to a plurality of subscribers, the method
comprising: providing an incentive to each of the plurality of
subscribes based on mobile device usage time while at one of a
plurality of predetermined locations; determining whether a mobile
device subscriber is at the one of the plurality of predetermined
locations; determining amount of mobile device usage time by the
mobile device subscriber of a mobile device while at the one of the
plurality of predetermined locations; determining a number points
to award to the mobile device subscriber based on mobile device
usage time at the one of the plurality of predetermined locations,
wherein a different number of points are determined for identical
mobile device usage times between at least two of the plurality of
predetermined locations; and awarding the number of points computed
to the mobile device subscriber.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the points are
frequent flyer mileage points, and further comprising adding the
points to the mobile device subscriber's frequent flyer mileage
point account.
20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the predetermined
location is onboard a carrier transporting the mobile device
subscriber from a first geographical location to a second
geographical location.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] The present application claims priority to a provisional
application filed on Dec. 17, 2004 titled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
PROVIDING AN INCENTIVE TO A CELL PHONE SUBSCRIBER FOR SELECTING ONE
CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER OVER ANOTHER" and assigned United
States Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/637,396; the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The method and system of the present disclosure are directed
to providing an incentive to a mobile device subscriber to select a
mobile device service provider by awarding points to the mobile
device subscriber based on mobile device usage time (i.e., air
time) while at a predetermined location, such as onboard a
commercial carrier. Hence, the method and system of the present
disclosure further provides an incentive to the mobile device
subscriber to select a predetermined location from a plurality of
predetermined locations for mobile device usage time after having
selected the mobile device service provider.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Cell phone service providers and other types of mobile
device service providers, such as Internet service providers,
satellite radio service providers, and wireless email service
providers, in continuous competition to obtain a greater market
share of their respective industry. For example, cell phone service
providers are in competition to attract new cell phone subscribers
or existing cell phone subscribers from other service providers,
while retaining their existing cell phone subscribers. Accordingly
novel methods and systems are often sought and/or designed by cell
phone service providers (and other service providers) for staying
competitive by attracting new cell phone subscribers and causing
existing cell phone subscribers to switch to them from other
service providers.
[0004] For example, one method and system known in the prior art
entails tracking the number of unused cell phone minutes for a
particular cell phone subscriber during a particular time period,
e.g., one month, and rolling over the unused cell phone minutes to
a subsequent time period, e.g., the subsequent month. Accordingly,
the cell phone subscriber is provided an incentive to stay with the
cell phone service provider or to register as a new cell phone
subscriber with the cell phone service provider providing this
incentive, because as a cell phone subscriber with this cell phone
service provider, the cell phone subscriber does not "lose" or pay
for minutes which he did not use.
[0005] Another method and system for attracting new subscribers and
retaining existing subscribers is described by U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2004/0198380. This document describes a mobile
telecommunication system which determines whether or not a mobile
station or device is present at a predetermined geographical
location. If yes, the system effects a differentiation between the
overall charge for the call and a net charge to a subscriber of the
mobile station, at the expense of a third party associated with the
predetermined geographical location, such as a supermarket. Thus,
the third party, that does business on commercial premises is
enabled to provide an incentive for consumers to enter the
premises, while at the same time the cell phone service provider
provides an incentive to the subscriber of not having to pay for
the entire charge of the call made from the predetermined
geographical location.
[0006] Other prior art methods for attracting new subscribers and
retaining existing subscribers include determining the geographic
location of the subscriber using GPS or other positioning system,
determining at least one business establishment, such as a coffee
shop, in proximity to the geographic location, and transmitting to
a subscriber's mobile device, such as a cell phone, a coupon which
can be redeemed at the at least one business establishment.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present disclosure provides a method and system for
enabling a cell phone service provider or other type of service
provider to retain subscribers and attract new subscribers, as well
as existing subscribers from other service providers, by providing
an incentive to subscribers for selecting its service. The
incentive includes awarding the subscribers frequent flyer mileage
points and/or other types of points based on cell phone usage time
and/or other mobile device usage time (e.g., satellite radio usage
time, Internet access usage time, wireless email usage time and
messaging usage time) while at a predetermined location, such as
onboard a particular commercial carrier traveling from a first
geographical location to a second geographical location. The
present disclosure therefore also provides a method and system for
providing an incentive to mobile device subscribers for selecting a
predetermined location from a plurality of predetermined locations
for usage time.
[0008] As an example, the method and system of the present
disclosure can be implemented by a cell phone service provider for
attracting and retaining cell phone service subscribers by tracking
cell phone usage time on a particular commercial airline and
awarding the cell phone service subscribers with frequent flyer
mileage points offered by the commercial airline or other types of
points according to the amount of cell phone usage time while being
transported on a commercial aircraft owned and/or operated by the
particular commercial airline.
[0009] A method in a wireless communication system providing
communication services to a plurality of subscribers in accordance
with the present disclosure includes determining whether a mobile
device subscriber is at a predetermined location; determining
amount of mobile device usage time by the mobile device subscriber
of a mobile device while at the predetermined location; and
awarding points to the mobile device subscriber based at least on
the amount of mobile device usage time of the mobile device while
at the predetermined location.
[0010] A wireless communication network system in accordance with
the present disclosure includes a database configured to store at
least one point account; a controller operatively coupled to the
database, the controller comprising a memory and a processor
operatively coupled to the memory, the controller being programmed
to determine usage of air time for communication services by a
subscriber at predetermined locations; the controller being
programmed to award a number of points to the subscriber based on
the usage of air time at the predetermined locations; and the
controller being programmed to store the number of points awarded
to the subscriber in a point account associated with the
subscriber.
[0011] A method in a wireless communication system providing
communication services to a plurality of subscribers in accordance
with the present disclosure includes providing an incentive to each
of the plurality of subscribes based on mobile device usage time
while at one of a plurality of predetermined locations; determining
whether a mobile device subscriber is at the one of the plurality
of predetermined locations; determining amount of mobile device
usage time by the mobile device subscriber of a mobile device while
at the one of the plurality of predetermined locations; determining
a number points to award to the mobile device subscriber based on
mobile device usage time at the one of the plurality of
predetermined locations, wherein a different number of points are
determined for identical mobile device usage times between at least
two of the plurality of predetermined locations; and awarding the
number of points computed to the mobile device subscriber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described herein below with reference to the figures wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary communication
system in which the present technology may be applied;
[0014] FIG. 2A is an exemplary look-up table stored in memory of
the communication system shown by FIG. 1 indicating the amount of
cell phone usage time for a plurality of subscribes and the amount
of points awarded to each subscriber; and
[0015] FIG. 2B is an exemplary look-up table stored in memory of
the communication system shown by FIG. 1 indicating the amount of
cell phone usage time and Internet usage time for a plurality of
subscribers and the amount of points awarded to each
subscriber.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described
herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the
following description, well-known functions or constructions are
not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure
in unnecessary detail.
[0017] The system and method of the present disclosure enable a
mobile device service provider to attract new subscribers, as well
as existing subscribers from other service providers, by awarding
the subscribers with frequent flyer mileage points and/or other
types of points based on mobile device usage time (e.g., cell phone
usage time, satellite radio usage time, Internet access usage time,
wireless email usage time, and messaging usage time (such as
multimedia messaging, instant messaging, short messaging)) while at
predetermined locations, such as onboard a particular commercial
carrier for being transported from a first geographical location to
a second geographical location.
[0018] The present disclosure therefore also provides a method and
system for providing an incentive to mobile device subscribers for
selecting the particular commercial carrier for being transported
from the first geographical location to the second geographical
location. As an example, the method and system of the present
disclosure can be implemented by a cell phone service provider for
attracting and retaining cell phone service subscribers by tracking
cell phone usage time on a particular commercial airline and
awarding the cell phone service subscribers with frequent flyer
mileage points offered by the commercial airline or other types of
points according to the amount of cell phone usage time used while
being transported on a commercial aircraft owned and/or operated by
the particular commercial airline.
[0019] As used throughout herein, the term "usage time" refers to
air time. That is, the time the mobile device subscriber uses his
mobile device for receiving and/or transmitting communication
signals from and to another location via his mobile device, such as
to talk to another person; access the Internet; transmit/receive
text messages; listen to a satellite radio channel; and wirelessly
access an e-mail account to read received e-mail messages and
transmit e-mail messages.
[0020] As used herein and in the claims, the word "subscriber" is
defined as an individual who subscribes to a service provided by a
service provider for a periodic fee, such as cell phone service,
Internet access service, wireless email service, and satellite
radio transmission service, as well as to an individual who prepays
for a service provided by the service provider.
[0021] The frequent-flyer mileage points or other types of points
awarded can be redeemed by the subscribers for at least one of a
product and service, e.g., airline tickets, airline seating
upgrades, car rental discounts and other travel-related services,
or for redeeming to enter in periodic giveaways, contests and/or
sweepstakes, where the points are determined in accordance with a
mathematical formula, e.g., one point for every five cell phone
minutes of usage time while on a commercial carrier; and awarding
the mobile device service subscriber with free subscriber minutes
(e.g., free cell phone service) in accordance with a mathematical
formula, e.g., one cell phone minute for every five cell phone
minutes of usage time while on a commercial carrier. With respect
to periodic giveaways, contests and sweepstakes, it is contemplated
that the mobile device subscriber elects how many mileage points or
other points to redeem for entering the periodic giveaways,
contests and sweepstakes; where the more points redeemed, the
subscriber has a greater chance of winning.
[0022] The present technology will now be described with reference
to cell phone usage time, however, other types of mobile device
usage time are contemplated as mentioned above. With reference to
FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary communication system in which
the present technology may be applied. The system is designated
generally by reference numeral 10 and includes an onboard pico cell
12 or other routing computing device on a commercial aircraft 14
which acts like a small cellular tower or signal router for
managing separate wireless signals transmitted from an onboard cell
phone 16 and other electronic devices. The signals are beamed from
the pico cell 12 to a satellite 18 for distribution to ground
cellular networks 20. Alternatively, the signals are beamed from
the commercial aircraft 14 to ground towers 22 of the ground
cellular networks 20.
[0023] A set of programmable instructions are stored within a
memory 23 of at least one processing unit 24, such as a processor,
within a central computer or controller 26 of an operational data
center 28 operated by a cell phone service provider or other
service provider. It is contemplated that the set of programmable
instructions can be stored elsewhere within the system 10 and
executed by a processor other than a processor of the controller
26. It is further contemplated that the set of programmable
instructions can be packaged as a computer program and stored on
one or more CD-ROMS, DVDs, and other storage media.
[0024] The set of programmable instructions stored within the
memory 23 of the at least one processing unit 24 are used to
program the at least one processing unit 24 for performing the
functions necessary for performing the method of the present
disclosure. That is, determining an identification code
corresponding to the cell phone originating/receiving the cell
phone call; determining whether the identified cell phone is
located on the commercial aircraft 14 by determining the cell phone
call is routed via the onboard pico cell 12 or other routing
computing device; tracking the cell phone usage time of a cell
phone subscriber corresponding to the identified cell phone while
the subscriber is being transported by the commercial aircraft from
a first geographical location to a second geographical location;
determining based on the tracked cell phone usage time over a
particular time period (e.g., one month) the amount of frequent
flyer mileage points or other points to award to the cell phone
subscriber corresponding to the identified cell phone; and storing
the points awarded to the subscriber within a data structure of the
system.
[0025] The second determining step includes analyzing signals
transmitted by the onboard pico cell 12 or other routing computing
device as to whether they contain a unique, identification data
string which was appended to the signals by the pico cell 12 or
other routing computing device. If the signals contain the data
string, then it is determined that the signals were transmitted by
an onboard pico cell or other routing computing device and that the
cell phone subscriber is on the commercial aircraft. It is
contemplated that the identification data string identifies the
airline operator, flight number, originating location, destination
location, and other information relating to the flight.
[0026] The points awarded to the cell phone subscriber are saved
within point accounts 48 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) stored in the form
of a look-up table or other data structure within a points database
50 of system 10. The point accounts 48 stored in the form of one or
more look-up tables provide the amount of points 52a (cell phone
points), 52b (Internet access points), 52c (total points) awarded
for each cell phone and cell phone/Internet subscriber 54 as
respectively shown by the exemplary look-up tables of FIGS. 2A and
2B and further described below. Even though FIG. 2B illustrates two
types of usage time (i.e., cell phone and Internet access usage
times), the look-up tables can be configured for storing two or
more types of usage time.
[0027] With reference to FIG. 2A, there is shown an exemplary
look-up table designated by reference numeral 100 correlating the
cell phone usage time of a plurality of subscribers while on
commercial aircraft during one month (December 2004) with the
amount of points (e.g., frequent-flyer mileage points and/or other
points) awarded to each cell phone subscriber based on the amount
of cell phone usage time while on commercial aircraft. As evident
from FIG. 2A, in this exemplary illustration, the cell phone
subscribers received one point for every one minute of cell phone
usage time during the month. However, in accordance with the
present disclosure different mathematical formulas can be used to
determine the number of points awarded to each subscriber based on
different types of information as discussed below.
[0028] The amount of frequent-flyer mileage points and/or other
points awarded to the cell phone subscriber can then be
communicated from the at least one processing unit 24 to a printer
30 of the operational data center 28 for printing the amount of
frequent-flyer mileage points and/or other points awarded to the
cell phone subscriber (including previously awarded points) on a
cell phone bill to be mailed to the cell phone subscriber by the
cell phone service provider.
[0029] The amount of frequent-flyer mileage points and/or other
points awarded to the cell phone subscriber can also be
communicated from the at least one processing unit 24 via the
Internet or other network to the cell phone subscriber by the at
least one processing unit 24 by transmitting in real-time,
periodically, etc. an e-mail to the cell phone subscriber, a text
message, etc. indicating the amount of frequent-flyer mileage
points and/or other points awarded to the cell phone subscriber. In
the case of frequent flyer mileage points being awarded to the cell
phone subscriber, the controller 26 is programmed to communicate
these points to a frequent flyer point database 60 storing the cell
phone subscriber's frequent flyer mileage point account for being
added to points already stored in the point account.
[0030] With reference to FIG. 2B, there is shown another exemplary
look-up table designated by reference numeral 200 correlating the
cell phone usage time and Internet access time of a plurality of
cell phone/Internet access subscribers while on commercial aircraft
during one month (December 2004) with the amount of points (e.g.,
frequent-flyer mileage points and/or other points) awarded to each
cell phone/Internet subscriber based on the amount of cell phone
usage time and Internet access time while on commercial aircraft.
As evident from FIG. 2B, in this exemplary illustration, the cell
phone/Internet access subscribers receive one point for every one
minute of cell phone usage time and Internet usage time. However,
in accordance with the present disclosure different mathematical
formulas can be used to determine the number of points awarded to
each subscriber based on different types of information as
discussed below.
[0031] In the case of wireless Internet signals being transmitted
from laptops or other electronic devices onboard commercial
aircraft, the system of the present disclosure beams the signals
from the onboard pico cell 12 or other routing computing device to
the satellite 18 for distribution to ground communication networks
20. Alternatively, the signals are beamed from the commercial
aircraft 14 to ground towers 22 of the ground communication
networks 20 for subsequent distribution to ground networks 32
operatively connected to the Internet 34.
[0032] In a similar manner as described above for cell phone usage
time, the at least one processing unit 24 determines an
identification code corresponding to a device accessing the
Internet 34 via an Internet connection; determines whether the
identified device is located on a commercial aircraft by
determining the Internet connection is routed via the onboard pico
cell 12 or other routing computing device; tracks the wireless
Internet usage time of the Internet subscriber corresponding to the
identified device while on the commercial aircraft; determines
based on the tracked Internet usage time over a particular time
period (e.g., one month) the amount of frequent flyer mileage
points and other points to award to the wireless Internet
subscriber corresponding to the identified device; and stores the
points awarded to the subscriber within a data structure of the
system.
[0033] The second determining step includes analyzing signals
transmitted by the onboard pico cell 12 or other routing computing
device as to whether they contain an unique, identification data
string which was appended to the signals by the pico cell 12 or
other routing computing device. If the signals contain the data
string, then it is determined that the signals were transmitted by
an onboard pico cell or other routing computing device and that the
wireless Internet subscriber is on the commercial aircraft. It is
contemplated that the identification data string identifies the
airline operator, flight number, originating location, destination
location, and other information relating to the flight.
[0034] The amount of frequent-flyer mileage points and/or other
points awarded to the wireless Internet subscriber can then be
communicated from the at least one processing unit 24 to the
printer 30 of the operational data center 28 for printing the
amount of frequent-flyer mileage points and/or other points awarded
to the cell phone subscriber (including previously awarded points)
on an Internet access bill to be mailed to the wireless Internet
subscriber by the wireless Internet service provider.
[0035] The amount of frequent-flyer mileage points and/or other
points awarded to the wireless Internet subscriber can also be
communicated from the at least one processing unit 24 via the
Internet or other network to the wireless Internet subscriber by
the at least one processing unit 24 by transmitting in real-time,
periodically, etc. an e-mail to the wireless Internet subscriber, a
text message, etc. indicating the amount of frequent-flyer mileage
points and/or other points awarded to the wireless Internet
subscriber. In the case of frequent flyer mileage points being
awarded to the wireless Internet subscriber, the controller 26 is
programmed to communicate these points to the database 60 storing
the wireless Internet subscriber's frequent flyer mileage point
account for being added to points already stored in the point
account.
[0036] The technology disclosed by the present disclosure enables
cell phone service providers and other service providers to attract
subscribers from other service providers, while retaining existing
subscribers. For example, one class of people the method and system
of the present disclosure attracts and retains is frequent
travelers who desire to place cell phone calls (wirelessly access
the Internet, wireless receive/transmit email messages; and listen
to satellite radio channels) using their cell phones while on a
commercial aircraft and be provided with frequent flyer mileage
points or other types of points for their cell phone usage time
redeemable for at least one of a service and product, as well as
for entering giveaways, contests and sweepstakes.
[0037] As such, the present disclosure also provides a first
business method wherein a service provider, such as Verizon
Wireless, and/or operator of the system 10, and a commercial
entity, such as American Airlines, Inc., enter into a business
relationship. The business relationship can provide that the
service provider and/or operator of the system 10 are paid a fee by
the commercial carrier for the operator of the system 10 to only
award frequent flyer mileage points or other types of points for
mobile device usage time by the service provider's subscribers
while being transported by commercial aircraft operated and/or
owned by the commercial carrier. Accordingly, the commercial
carrier can advertise that subscribers of the service provider who
use usage time while being transported by one of the carrier's
aircraft will be awarded frequent flyer mileage points or other
types of points. This provides an incentive to the service
provider's subscribers to book flights with the commercial
carrier.
[0038] The frequent flyer mileage points or other types of points
can also vary based on different types of information as mentioned
above, such as based on at least one of travel-related information
corresponding to the carrier, mobile device subscriber-related
information, and communication-related information. The
travel-related information is selected from the group consisting
of: information relating to the first geographical location;
information relating to the second geographical location; time of
departure; time of arrival, whether destination is an international
destination; whether majority of travel is during a particular time
period; whether time of departure was delayed for more than a
predetermined amount of time; whether non-stop to the destination;
and whether a meal is served during duration of trip.
[0039] The mobile device subscriber-related information is selected
from the group consisting of: travel status of the subscriber
(e.g., first class, economy and coach); number of passengers
traveling with the subscriber; period of time subscriber is a
customer of at least the service provider and carrier's owner
and/or operator; and occupation of the subscriber.
[0040] The communication-related information is selected from the
group consisting of: time of day of the communication service;
length of time of the communication service; and type of
communication service (email, Internet access, satellite radio
reception, etc.).
[0041] Even though the method and system of the present disclosure
is described herein with reference to FIG. 1 in the context of the
subscriber being transported by a commercial aircraft, the method
and system of the present disclosure also apply to the subscriber
being transported by other commercial carriers, such as trains,
ships, buses, trucks and automobiles. A commercial carrier is
defined as a company owning and/or operating transport vehicles for
transporting passengers.
[0042] The controller 26 of system 10 can be programmed for
awarding frequent flyer mileage points or other types of points to
commercial carrier passengers for usage time using fixed
communication devices, such as onboard telephones on a commercial
aircraft and fixed, Internet access computing devices on a cruise
ship.
[0043] The method and system of the present disclosure also
provides for programming the controller 26 to award points to the
mobile device subscriber based on usage time at other predetermined
locations of the mobile device subscriber besides commercial
carriers, such as a particular venue, such as an airport terminal,
mall, stadium, concert hall, office building, and business
establishment, thereby providing an incentive to the mobile device
subscriber to go to these venues and communicate via his mobile
device while at these venues. A terrestrial pico cell 12a or other
routing computing device of network 20 is programmed to generate
and transmit a unique, identification data string along with the
communication signals transmitted by the mobile device, such as
terrestrial (not onboard an aircraft) cell phone 16b, in order for
the controller 26 to analyze the data string and be able to
determine the venue the mobile device is located at. The unique,
identification data string is indicative of the venue.
[0044] According to the present disclosure, the location of the
subscriber can also be determined using other means besides
identification, data strings. The system 10 includes a global
positioning system (GPS) 80 of which the satellite 18 may be a part
of. The global positioning system 80 determines the origin of a
communication signal transmitted by the mobile device, such as cell
phone 16 onboard aircraft 14. The system 10 can also include other
locating/positioning systems known in the art (e.g., a system which
uses cell towers to triangulate the cell phone signal, thereby
determining the user's location).
[0045] The global positioning system 80 or other
locating/positioning system is in operative communication with the
operational data center 28 for relaying the position of the mobile
device to the controller 26. Locating/positioning systems which can
be incorporated within the system 10 of the present disclosure are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,823,257 and 6,901,264, and U.S.
Patent Publication No. 2004/0203924 A1; the entire contents of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0046] The controller 26 is programmed to determine whether the
position of the mobile device as communicated by the global
positioning system 80 (or other locating/positioning system) is at
one of a plurality of predetermined locations for which points are
to be awarded for the usage time. The controller 26 is programmed
to access a location server 90 storing location information
corresponding to predetermined locations for which points are to be
awarded for usage time at these locations. If the position relayed
by the global positioning system 80 (or other locating/positioning
system) is part of the location information stored by the location
server 90, then the controller 26 determines that points are to be
awarded for the usage time. If the position relayed by the global
positioning system 80 (or other locating/positioning system) is not
part of the location information stored by the location server 90,
then the controller 26 determines that points are not to be awarded
for the usage time.
[0047] The location server 90 also stores a mathematical formula
for each predetermined location to be used for computing the number
of points to award for each time period of usage time at the
corresponding predetermined location. The mathematical formula can
be different for each of the predetermined locations as further
described below with respect to a second business method provided
by the present disclosure.
[0048] The present disclosure also provides a cell phone or other
mobile device capable of being programmed for displaying or
otherwise providing an indication of the number of points awarded
to the subscriber while communicating using his mobile device or
receiving satellite radio signals via his mobile device. The cell
phone and other mobile device can further be programmed to display
or otherwise provide an indication of the number of points that are
awarded for each time period (seconds, minutes, etc.) of usage time
while at the present location.
[0049] As such, the system 10 provides for transmitting
communication signals from a computing device 70 in operative
communication with controller 26, which can also be the pico cell
12 or other routing computing device, in vicinity to the cell phone
16 or other mobile device 16a. The communication signals are
processed by the cell phone or other mobile device for determining
and displaying the number of points that are awarded for each time
period of usage time while at the present location. As the number
of points that are awarded for each time period of usage time
increase and decrease from location to location, the mobile device
subscribers will opt to select the locations where the most points
are awarded for using their mobile devices for communication
purposes or for receiving satellite reception signals.
[0050] As such, the method and system of the present disclosure
provides a means for providing an incentive to subscribers for
moving from one location to another when desiring to utilize usage
time and to also patronize one business establishment over another
based on the number of points awarded among different business
establishments.
[0051] In accordance with the second business method of the present
disclosure, the business establishments provide a fee to the
operator of the system 10 in accordance with a predetermined amount
of points to be awarded for usage or air time while at their
locations. Two different business establishments or two different
predetermined locations are associated with different mathematical
formulas for computing a different number of points for identical
mobile device usage times between the two different business
establishments or the two different predetermined locations.
[0052] For example, a first business establishment which pays $100
per month to the operator would provide for the operator to program
the controller 26 to award one point per hour of usage time for
usage or air time while at the first business establishment's
location; and a second business establishment which pays $200 per
month to the operator would provide for the operator to program the
controller 26 to award two points per hour of usage time for usage
or air time while at the second business establishment's
location.
[0053] The number of points awarded to a subscriber can be stored
within the cell phone or other mobile device for easily determining
by the subscriber the total number of points awarded during a
predetermined time period. The number of points can also be stored
within the mobile device separately for each communication session,
such that the subscriber can easily determine how many points he
was awarded during each communication session (e.g., cell phone
call, wireless email transmission, Internet access, and satellite
radio reception).
[0054] The cell phone and other mobile device can further be
programmed for enabling the subscriber to redeem points by
communicating with the controller 26 or a call center and redeeming
points for at least one of service; product; travel-related
discounts/promotions; giveaways, contests or sweepstakes; etc. The
service can include a communication service, such that the
subscriber can use his cell phone or other mobile device to obtain
a discount on a communication service; and add a communication
feature to his cell phone or other mobile device, such as three-way
calling, Caller-ID, call forwarding, and conference calling.
[0055] The present technology can also be adapted by one skilled in
the art to determine when a satellite radio subscriber has his
satellite radio on and is listening to a satellite radio channel.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the satellite radio
transmits a unique signal to the controller 26 continuously while
it is turned on and tuned to a channel. The unique signal includes
a unique data string identifying the subscriber corresponding to
the satellite radio. The unique data string can further include
other information besides the identity of the subscriber, such as
the channel the satellite radio is tuned to, channels the
subscriber has programmed as pre-programmed channel settings, and
the volume level. The satellite radio service provider or operator
of the system 10 can then award frequent flyer mileage points or
other types of points based on the satellite radio usage time
during a predetermined period of time in accordance with the
teachings of the present disclosure. The number of points awarded
can be for example 0.10 point for every one hour of satellite radio
usage time.
[0056] It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed
and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be
desirably combined into many other different systems or
applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or
unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or
improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in
the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following
claims.
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